Nice work, so far. As the tender is unique, I did do a bit of research on the prototype. It appears that these were the first 2-10-2s that
All Tramps Sent Free ordered as pushers over Raton Pass.
I had been aware that the type evolved because ATSF had been using 2-10-0s as pushers over Raton. As there were no turning facilities on either side, at the time, the locomotives ran light in reverse back over the hill. This was causing premature wear on the two aft driver pair tyres and flanges. The trailing idler truck served to guide the locomotive in reverse, thus allowing for more even wear on the drivers. The USRA 2-8-8-2 is similar in that the trailing trucks look like an afterthought. As some roads did use USRA 2-8-8-2s as pushers, the trailing truck was a necessity only to guide the locomotive in reverse, it provided little, if any, support for the firebox. Supposedly the last class of B&O 2-8-8-0s were really USRA 2-8-8-2s with the trailing truck removed. The B&O had turning facilities at their nasty main line grades.
All of this leads to a question about the lower profile of this unique tender. I am assuming that the low profile was designed into it to allow the crew better vision when running in reverse.
Good topic; nice work.
